4J Studios jogscotland Annual Awards

The 4J Studios scottishathletics and jogscotland Annual Awards were held online this year, and while we were all sad not to be able to gather together as usual, it was nonetheless a fantastic chance to celebrate the very best of jogscotland in a year like no other. Bryan Burnett was our host, and people watching at home were brought into the show as we dropped in photographs and tweets sent from their watch parties and sofas. If you missed the programme you can still watch it online. Meet the winners...

Diane joined Jed Joggers on its first night, initially unsure of her ability – but that soon changed. Running with Ben Smith on his 401 Challenge boosted her confidence so much that she took on Jed Ultra. Since then she has achieved a silver medal in GB Ultra Manchester to Liverpool, completed a 24 hour track event for charity, covering 82 miles, and cross trains for triathlon events. But she has never forgotten her roots, supports fellow group members, and is working with local schools to encourage young people to get out and running. jogscotland Jog Leader of the Year Alan Falconer and Suzanne Mattison – Inverness jogscotland Alan and Suzanne really excelled during lockdowm. Alan set countless challenges to keep members active and enthusiastic, from running bingo to supermarket sweep. Meanwhile, Suzanne logged every single mile that was run by members in spreadsheets, a huge task as she calculated group totals: They ran more than 25,000 miles – right around the world. Alan and Suzanne’s constant encouragement meant that members not only endured lockdown, but thrived.

Alan and Suzanne really excelled during lockdowm. Alan set countless challenges to keep members active and enthusiastic, from running bingo to supermarket sweep. Meanwhile, Suzanne logged every single mile that was run by members in spreadsheets, a huge task as she calculated group totals: They ran more than 25,000 miles – right around the world. Alan and Suzanne’s constant encouragement meant that members not only endured lockdown, but thrived.

Jiggly Joggers was founded in 2018 in the East End of Glasgow, to provide an inclusive, non-judgmental group for plus-sized women with little or no running experience. In three years, the group has grown from 10 to 130 members. The majority had not run before but many have now completed their first half marathon. During lockdown the group held socially-distant relays which raised thousands of pounds for local charities, arranged donations of food parcels to their local food bank, and gave boxes of treats to frontline key workers in local care homes. Founder Elaine Leitch has received the Glasgow Lord Provost’s special recognition award, and the group has this year been awarded funding from Big Lottery to allow them to expand further.

SAMH Mental Wellbeing Award - Mums on the Run Inverurie Mums on the Run Inverurie has always provided support for new mums to return to exercise safely, and that didn’t change during lockdown. Weekly online challenges were held, along with virtual social events. Leader Jess Parson (pictured) encouraged selfcare, engaging with the outdoors and mindfulness. A daylong virtual relay was organised to raise money for a local charity supporting maternal mental health. More than a running group, it has maternal mental health at the forefront and makes a difference to all the mums who attend, physically, emotionally and socially.